Words @ Play Poetry Program Competes for Top Honor from President's Committee on Arts & Humanities
Program Is Partnership Between Park District and Chicago Humanities Festival
Release Date: 10/22/07
Representatives from the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Humanities Festival might be headed to Washington, D.C. this winter to receive the nation’s highest honor for exemplary after-school programs in the arts and humanities for young people.
Words @ Play, a joint program between the Chicago Park District and the Chicago Humanities Festival, has been named one of 50 national semi-finalists for the prestigious 2007 Coming Up Taller Award.
The 10-week after-school Words @ Play program is offered at cultural centers in high-need Chicago neighborhoods. Professional poet educators lead the weekly 90-minute sessions that introduce elementary school-aged children to great poets, different styles of poetry, and the rewards of creative writing and performance.
“This successful partnership not only offers arts education to youth throughout the city, but stirs their imagination and encourages both sharing and learning from each other,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Timothy Mitchell.
Stuart Flack, Executive Director of the Chicago Humanities Festival, added, "Words at Play is a great example of how arts organizations can work with civic organizations to nurture audiences and create a real sense of community. And, of course, the poetry is terrific."
Participants in the Words @ Play workshops have the chance to see their original poems transformed into whimsical skits by the Chicago-based Barrel of Monkeys theater ensemble as part of the annual fall Children’s Humanities Festival. This year’s performances are Saturday, Nov. 10 at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at the Museum of Contemporary Art Theater, 220 E. Chicago Ave. Performances are recommended for ages 8 and up. Admission is free, and reservations are recommended by calling 312-494-9509.
“We have seen students transformed by participating in the program, and we hope to bring a larger awareness to the importance of introducing young people to the arts and humanities” said Mary Kate Barley-Jenkins, Director, Education and Children's Humanities Festival.
The winner of the 2007 Coming Up Taller Award will be announced in January 2008.
For more information about the Chicago Park District, visit www.chicagoparkdistrict.com or call 312-742-PLAY.
Information on the Chicago Humanities Festival is at www.chfestival.org or at 312-661-1028.
- Contact Phone: 312 742 7529